New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-06-07
OBRIEN SURE OF THE ISSUE.
STILL CONFIDENT THAT HE DID RIGHT.

ABUSED BY LABOR MEN AND PRAISED BY IRISH.
MEN-HIs HEALTH FAR FROM STRONG.
II William OBrien on Sunday felt satisfied at
his action on Saturday night in refusing to attend
the big demonstration In Union Square.
gotten up in his honor by the Labor
party, be felt even more pleased yesterday
and looked and talked as man who was conscious
that he had followed the only course open to him
in the circumstances The matter is being
discussed In every quarter 1t has created more
feeling and more bitterness among Irish-Americans
in this city than anything which has occurred here
during several years. This is all the more remark
able the Irish societies and the labor Organiza-
tions were never before brought so closely face to
face-never before crossed swords so to speak,
which they most unQuestioDably dong now.
To understand this, it should be stated that the
labor organizations derive most of their
strength from the Irish, who leaders,
and influential leaders too, IN most Of
the Henry George societies. But beside
the leaders the Irish form the majority of the rank
and file. In many of the assembly districts the
men who are officers of the local branches of the
Irish National League are also prominently ident-
fed with the Labor party in the same localities.
If. therefore, there were differences and disseu-
sions before, there arc more now, and II this
feeling continues to develop 1t has since O'Bren's
refusal to attend Saturday nights meeting, the end
will be a fight, and hard-fought fight, be-
tween those who are Irish and members OK
the labor organizations on tho one hand,
and those, the other hand. who have no afilila-
ton with the Sons of Erin, except that they are
stanch and firm supporters OF Dr. McGlynn. But
the Irish are not all upon Mr.. OBren's side in this
matter. In some quarters of the city Obriens
name is Landed to the skies in other parts the
most elaborate dictionary that has yet appeared
does furnish epithets sufficiently strong to de-
scribe what is called his base refusal" to attend
the meeting
Nobody stops to think or to discuss; every
body has something to say, and ordi-
nary language Is considered too common
place to meet the necessities OF the case.
The indications. however, are that time is on the
side of the honorable member for Nor theast Cork.
and that as his view of tie matter is made known,
the views OF his opponents will change to his sdes
Mr.. Oijriens demand is that the question be
looked at from an Irish not fIom an American
point of view.
Colonel Cavanagh. the commander of the Goth
Regiment, mustered nnety-fve per cent OF the
men under his command at the Saturday nights
parade and expects to have them all at least nine
hundred-in line this evening, to march from the
Hoffman House to the steamship pier after the
dinner Is over. Yet the Colonel says that
there is far from unanimty among
them on O'Bren's action. They are divivided up,
he says, into warning sections, aud Tor his part he
would have asked, for the sake OF his regiment
that no labor demonstration had ever taken place.
The National League is divided. though the ma
jority of the members favor VBrien. He has been
receiving kilograms from many places throughout
the country from men representing Irish societies,
appauding his action, and he has received many
threatening letters on the other hand denounc-
ing him. When a TRIBUNE reporter saw him
yesterday in the Hoffman House, he seemed,
iIlysses-Ike 10 be "a mild q much henduring man,
his face never ruddy. has grown paler, and his
whole form is indicative of a man longing
for a quiet moment and unable 10 nnG
TO catch his breath. Piles OF telegIams. letters,
newspapers, visiting cards. photographs, auto
graphs and so on, were scattered around. teie-
gram, signed by Lahiff," president OF the Detroit
Branch Of the Irish National League, said tins
We have reason to be confident that the incident will
result favoraDly.
The officers of Parnell Branch. No. H. Of this
city, sent communication also approving his ac-
j. d. Power, No. 145 Broadway. wrote:
was highly delighted that you refused to be present
on on the sg @ Msrn Til ery Who ssewea deanes
and bold and unjusIlhabe disregard OF the &c.
action which has practically, II not entirely, alien.
aed from him the respect and affection OF the THINKING
you can class the writer The promoters OF the demon:
staton had apupose to subserye and AIN glad you aid
not attend it,
Another man writing from the city and signing
himself, "A Limerick man aud one who does nou
care about the Orangemen," had this TO say:
You have moro enemies in New-York to-day than YOU
had in Toronto and il am not much mistaken, you VIII
of America 1t is too bad the Orsngemen OF canada
didn't blow your brains out for you are traitor to our
cause.
Simon p. Armstrong, honorary secretary, Cons
pany L. 69th Regiment, wrote:
If you had stepped on that platfOmit would have
and determination the lines You pursued ncoanecton
with the meeting deserve the greatest praise.
Mrs. Mitchell of No. 125 East Eighty -fifth-st,
the wife of the Irish patriot and historian, Johq
Mitchell and her son, James Mitchell. called and
congratulated Mr.. O t}rien in the warmest possible
manner upon what he had DONE.
Editor OF United Ireland aside, quietly slipped into
his hand $50 bill for the Irish cause. =,
that o Brien had done so did Major John Byrne.
Peter Walsh, conductor on the foursn Avenue ail
Railroad. called and sa,d h that foSG-f!9a Sn 1n
Knights Of Labor. applauded VBren,s action.
The Rev. Patrick J; Glynn and the Rev. N. u.
OHanlon, from St. Patrieks Churcn IN ,d"tin: home:
money to build church in Rome to be especially
dedicated to s. Patrick They spoke words words OF OF
he did Saturday evening. S. f Schewitsch, Editor
Of The Leader and one Of the leaders of the Social
view for his paper and did not discuss with Mr.
O'Brien his refusal to attend the labor parade. lie
said to TRIBUNE reporter:
cannot for the life OF me why Mr. o'Brien re,
fused to attend. A chairman only Is supposed
to be Identified with what tanspires at
meeting Mr. OBrien might have dissented
from the resolutions II he had wished.
What would the London papers have saidf answer
Irish have given hg-and very properly
so-about the opinions of the London papers
The committee which is making arrangements
for the dinner this evening went to the Filth
Avenue Hotel to invite James q. Blame.
Mr. Blaine was out, but his son,
Walker Blaine, assured the committee of the warm,
sympathy of his father with the cause of Home
Rule In Ireland and expressed his regret that his
father could not appear at the dinner. owing to the
pressing work demanded by the arrangements for
his departure for Europe.
These are the men who are expected to mako
speeches tonight az the Hoffman House: Mayor